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Caldera: A Yellowstone Park thriller
Six-hundred-thousand years ago the largest volcano in the Western Hemisphere erupted; covering much of what is now the Central United States in a thick layer of ash. The cataclysm left behind a massive caldera that today is known as Yellowstone National Park and it’s about to happen again. After a meeting with the President, Milton Bainbridge, a Yellowstone volcanologist is found dead under mysterious circumstances. USGS volcanologist, Jason Trask, is called in from overseas as a replacement, much to the disappointment of Bainbridge’s assistant Carlene Carlson, who was hoping to be promoted. Trask and Carlson discover records, left behind by Bainbridge, that indicate the super volcano is about to erupt again, only this time the survival of millions of Americans, in thirteen states, are threatened if they cannot be evacuated from the deadly path of the fallout. To make matters worse, a terrorist organization is planning on using the disarray in the aftermath of a Yellowstone eruption to topple the government of the United States. Trask and Carlson face off against a government that doesn't believe an eruption is eminent and a terrorist organization preparing to use that denial to their advantage. Caldera is a thrilling peek into the lives of the volcanologists assigned to Yellowstone National Park and the challenges they face when presented with the reality of a national disaster of unimaginable proportions.
- GenresFiction
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2010
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 15, 2017
A geological thriller
An almost great book. The parts about the pending eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano were fabulous, as was the bits about the government reaction and cover up. However the terrorist plot I found defied belief as well as the true identity of the villain. Overall, a very good book.
An almost great book. The parts about the pending eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano were fabulous, as was the bits about the government reaction and cover up. However the terrorist plot I found defied belief as well as the true identity of the villain. Overall, a very good book.
December 31, 2017
I wanted to like this because I enjoy natural disasters and volcanoes, especially, but I could not get past all of the errors. The misuse of "eminent" in lieu of "imminent" is what pushed me over the edge. I might come back to it someday when I'm very bored and need something light, but until then... Please, get a decent copy editor before publishing.
June 20, 2023
A real dynamo blockbuster!
This is a powerful, dynamic, nonstop thriller—one of the best I’ve read in years for sheer, unexpected action, which is why I gave it 5 stars. It definitely needs a professional editing though, as there are many minor grammatical and punctuation errors.
This is a powerful, dynamic, nonstop thriller—one of the best I’ve read in years for sheer, unexpected action, which is why I gave it 5 stars. It definitely needs a professional editing though, as there are many minor grammatical and punctuation errors.
October 19, 2019
Read cover to cover
This was an engaging story; I did not want to put down. I have read other stories about a Yellowstone super eruption and this one was the best one yet. Thank you for your effort in creating this masterpiece!
This was an engaging story; I did not want to put down. I have read other stories about a Yellowstone super eruption and this one was the best one yet. Thank you for your effort in creating this masterpiece!
July 7, 2017
Just finished this and truly enjoyed the mix of hard science, family tragedy (both old and ongoing), and a plot twist that includes terrorists bent on the destruction of the USA. What a ride!
March 31, 2024
Fun
Easy to read, good character development. Fun to imagine the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera. Lots of action. Surprise ending.
Easy to read, good character development. Fun to imagine the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera. Lots of action. Surprise ending.
February 23, 2017
Yellowstone Caldera
An interesting approach to a scenario which could prove real and deadly. Although a novel it nevertheless has a scientific fatalism to reality which millions of people don't know nor understand, which could prove deadly. Hopefully not.
An interesting approach to a scenario which could prove real and deadly. Although a novel it nevertheless has a scientific fatalism to reality which millions of people don't know nor understand, which could prove deadly. Hopefully not.
September 16, 2011
If you can suspend belief long enough, this is a fun read. If you can't, don't bother.
I love me a good disaster. The Yellowstone caldera is just about the worst disaster I could imagine. From what I can tell, some day that thing is going to spew harder than a college freshman after his first kegger. When it comes to Yellowstone, this is a very bad thing indeed.
Even if you haven't heard about this danger, you would know this is dangerous. You are told throughout the book that the explosion would plunge the planet into a nuclear winter. Sayonara food chain, hello extinction.
And yet the ending of the book disregarded at the end. Nuclear Winter? What nuclear winter?
I won't even mention the numerous sub-plots that neither add to the story nor add extra suspense.
Not gonna waste time trying to figure out how the bad guys think this mega-explosion will further their cause.
I will say there is a romantic element that is nice.
Would I recommend this book to a fan of the SyFy channel's disaster films? Yes
Would I recommend this to a volcanologist? Only if they wanted a good laugh.
Would I recommend this to a man in a bear suit? Yes. He probably has family in Yellowstone and he'd probably want to tell them to haul ass putts there
I love me a good disaster. The Yellowstone caldera is just about the worst disaster I could imagine. From what I can tell, some day that thing is going to spew harder than a college freshman after his first kegger. When it comes to Yellowstone, this is a very bad thing indeed.
Even if you haven't heard about this danger, you would know this is dangerous. You are told throughout the book that the explosion would plunge the planet into a nuclear winter. Sayonara food chain, hello extinction.
And yet the ending of the book disregarded at the end. Nuclear Winter? What nuclear winter?
I won't even mention the numerous sub-plots that neither add to the story nor add extra suspense.
Not gonna waste time trying to figure out how the bad guys think this mega-explosion will further their cause.
I will say there is a romantic element that is nice.
Would I recommend this book to a fan of the SyFy channel's disaster films? Yes
Would I recommend this to a volcanologist? Only if they wanted a good laugh.
Would I recommend this to a man in a bear suit? Yes. He probably has family in Yellowstone and he'd probably want to tell them to haul ass putts there
July 1, 2014
Larry LaVoie provides us with a great science fiction thriller; "Caldera". After his predecessor is found dead, Volcanologist Jason Trask is called to replace him and work at Yellowstone Park where a deadly volcano occurred many years ago. When his assistant Carlene Carlson discovers the evidence that supports the theory that the volcano will erupt again, they try to do what they can to convince the nearby citizens to leave the area. Meanwhile, a terrorist group is planning on using the eruption to their advantage to crack down on the U.S Government. But when the government doesn't believe Jason about the volcano, he must find a way to destroy the terrorists and save the citizens of Yellowstone Park. How will he do it?
I kept asking myself that question until I got to the results of the book. It's worth the read! Wonderful thriller!
I kept asking myself that question until I got to the results of the book. It's worth the read! Wonderful thriller!
February 24, 2016
Yellowstone showing signs of volcanic activity.
I enjoyed reading about the super volcano, Yellowstone. Loved the characters, earthquakes, terrorists, USGS personnel, and the politicians involved in this story. I live in the Willamette Valley with a great view of several Cascade Mts. Lately, we have been living under the threat of the overdue tectonic plates off the coasts of Oregon and Washington. It can be paralyzing, but there is potential danger just about anywhere people live. You can prepare and pray. But, if it happens there isn't much more people can do than try and survive.
The volcanologists in this story were not allowed to warn the public. I think there are only eight super volcanoes in the world. I wouldn't want to work or live inside the caldera of any like Yellowstone or the one in Italy. Thumbs up on this book.
I enjoyed reading about the super volcano, Yellowstone. Loved the characters, earthquakes, terrorists, USGS personnel, and the politicians involved in this story. I live in the Willamette Valley with a great view of several Cascade Mts. Lately, we have been living under the threat of the overdue tectonic plates off the coasts of Oregon and Washington. It can be paralyzing, but there is potential danger just about anywhere people live. You can prepare and pray. But, if it happens there isn't much more people can do than try and survive.
The volcanologists in this story were not allowed to warn the public. I think there are only eight super volcanoes in the world. I wouldn't want to work or live inside the caldera of any like Yellowstone or the one in Italy. Thumbs up on this book.
August 6, 2013
WOW! Move over Tom Clancy! Not only was this the very best book by this author, it is one of the best indie books I've read so far. It cost more than most indies, but it's worth the money. It really did scare me because, with my geology background, I know it could really happen. I have always loved this author's work but, comparing this one to some of his earlier works, he has come so far. The book is very well written, the characters are strong and well developed, the plot is amazing with several subplots. I didn't have a clue where this novel was going and I love that. It kept me guessing until the end. I was sad to see it end. The book moves at a good pace so that I never lost interst or felt like I had to skip any of it. Good job, Larry!
March 1, 2015
The story itself was good and while Yellowstone being a super volcano is not unique I think the terrorist plot addition may be.
I was disappointed with the production quality especially starting at chapter 10. I could believe that the overlapping voices and echo were a download error but I'm not sure that was it. Then there was the narration....between the choppy dialogue and the continuous long pauses after nearly every sentence making one think the story had stopped (both of which only got worse after chapter 10), it was exasperating. After a while the story became rather predictable but it was still good, just wish the narration and production had been up to par.
Production and narration mediocre.
This audiobook was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.
I was disappointed with the production quality especially starting at chapter 10. I could believe that the overlapping voices and echo were a download error but I'm not sure that was it. Then there was the narration....between the choppy dialogue and the continuous long pauses after nearly every sentence making one think the story had stopped (both of which only got worse after chapter 10), it was exasperating. After a while the story became rather predictable but it was still good, just wish the narration and production had been up to par.
Production and narration mediocre.
This audiobook was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.
February 6, 2016
Excellent
I admit,I had this book for a long time before I read it.I believed it was going to be a post explosion, dystopia with lots of guns and a sad world trying to make it.I judged a book by its cover! Recently, the cover was replaced and reluctantly,I decided to read it next.and wow! It was intense, fast moving and some very interesting twists.I prefer more disaster book than just suspense but this book kept me on my toes and well worth finally reading.lesson learned, don't judge a book.....
I admit,I had this book for a long time before I read it.I believed it was going to be a post explosion, dystopia with lots of guns and a sad world trying to make it.I judged a book by its cover! Recently, the cover was replaced and reluctantly,I decided to read it next.and wow! It was intense, fast moving and some very interesting twists.I prefer more disaster book than just suspense but this book kept me on my toes and well worth finally reading.lesson learned, don't judge a book.....
February 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book SO much that I didn't want to put it down!the storyline of yellowstone going to erupt and the magnatude of what that could mean is compelling.A well written storyline with characters who you care about.The narrator,Michael Lesley was wonderful!A MUST read!
December 28, 2022
Yellowstone erupts!
This was a good story about events leading up to the eruption of Yellowstone. Good characters, lots of action, and a mostly believable plot.
Needs a lot of editing...
If you like action-adventure stories, try this one. A good read.
This was a good story about events leading up to the eruption of Yellowstone. Good characters, lots of action, and a mostly believable plot.
Needs a lot of editing...
If you like action-adventure stories, try this one. A good read.
February 21, 2016
Explosive
Crash, bang, wallop, what a ride. I couldn't put this down from the start to the finish. Well done Larry.
Crash, bang, wallop, what a ride. I couldn't put this down from the start to the finish. Well done Larry.
August 17, 2016
A page turner- an abrupt ending after all the buildup- however it just kind of ends- I was hoping for a more prolonged ending- still would recommend.
January 9, 2017
another disaster read Just what I need to learn to survive anything!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews